🥮Bastilla: Morocco’s Crown Jewel of Sweet and Savory – And How to Make It

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 🥮Bastilla: Morocco’s Crown Jewel of Sweet and Savory – And How to Make It

A freshly baked Moroccan Bastilla with powdered sugar and cinnamon, made at home
My very own homemade Bastilla—golden, flaky, and dusted just right with sugar and cinnamon. A proud moment in my Moroccan kitchen!
Photo by Hanane




A freshly baked Moroccan Bastilla with powdered sugar and cinnamon, made at home
My very own homemade Bastilla—golden, flaky, and dusted just right with sugar and cinnamon. A proud moment in my Moroccan kitchen!
Photo by Hanane

A culinary masterpiece layered in history, flavor, and flaky goodness.

A Taste of Moroccan Royalty

Bastilla (also spelled pastilla) isn’t just a dish—it’s a statement. Traditionally served during weddings, special gatherings, and royal feasts, Bastilla is the ultimate blend of sweet and savory that showcases Morocco’s culinary genius. Wrapped in delicate warqa pastry and stuffed with spiced meat, almonds, and cinnamon-sugar, this dish is unforgettable from the first bite to the last.

What Makes Bastilla So Special?

🇲🇦 A Dish with Andalusian Roots

Bastilla originated from Andalusian culinary traditions and evolved into a proudly Moroccan favorite. Though many versions exist today, the classic chicken Bastilla remains the most celebrated, often replacing the original pigeon used in older recipes.

🧁 A Symphony of Flavor

What sets Bastilla apart is its bold layering of sweet and savory:

  • Tender chicken simmered in saffron, ginger, and onion.

  • Crunchy roasted almonds mixed with cinnamon and powdered sugar.

  • Eggs cooked in a rich spiced sauce.

  • All layered and wrapped in thin, crispy pastry sheets—then baked to golden perfection and topped with icing sugar and cinnamon.

🍗 Traditional Chicken Bastilla Recipe

Here’s how to make this iconic Moroccan pie at home.

🛒 Ingredients

For the filling:

  • 1 whole chicken (or 4 chicken thighs), cut into pieces

  • 2 large onions, finely chopped

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger

  • 1 teaspoon turmeric

  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

  • Pinch of saffron threads (optional)

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • 1 small bunch of parsley and cilantro, chopped

  • 5 large eggs

  • 1 cup blanched almonds

  • 3 tablespoons powdered sugar

  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon

  • Warqa sheets (or phyllo pastry if unavailable)

  • Melted butter for brushing

For topping:

  • Powdered sugar

  • Ground cinnamon

👨‍🍳 Directions

  1. Cook the Chicken:
    In a large pot, heat oil. Add onions and sauté. Add chicken, spices, herbs, and salt. Cook for 30–40 minutes until tender. Remove chicken, shred the meat, and set aside.

  2. Make the Egg Mixture:
    Simmer the sauce left in the pot. Crack in the eggs and stir until you get a thick, scrambled-egg-like consistency. Set aside.

  3. Prepare Almond Mixture:
    Toast the almonds until golden, then crush them roughly. Mix with powdered sugar and cinnamon.

  4. Assemble the Bastilla:

    • In a round baking dish, layer 3–4 warqa or phyllo sheets, overlapping and letting the edges hang over the dish.

    • Add a layer of chicken, followed by eggs, then almond mixture.

    • Fold overhanging sheets on top. Add more layers if needed and brush with butter.

    • Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 25–30 minutes until golden brown.

  5. Decorate and Serve:
    Dust the top with powdered sugar and draw a crisscross design with ground cinnamon.

🍽️ Variations to Explore

  • Seafood Bastilla – A coastal twist using shrimp, calamari, and fish in a creamy béchamel sauce.

  • Vegetarian Bastilla – Filled with spiced vegetables and lentils, ideal for plant-based diets.

  • Pigeon Bastilla – The original royal recipe, still served on very special occasions.


🎥 Watch Bastilla Being Made

Watch this step-by-step guide to making a traditional chicken Bastilla, straight from a Moroccan kitchen.


✅ Watch Another Bastilla Recipe – Taste of Maroc

A fresh take on the classic Bastilla! This video from Taste of Maroc offers step-by-step instructions with a modern twist and clear visuals—perfect for home cooks.

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